In the 1790s, most operas retold stories of mythology and folklore. That’s why when Mozart’s The Magic Flute premiered, it shook the powder from his audience’s wigs. While Mozart was already known for taking up material that shocked audiences (The Marriage of Figaro actually suggested that, gasp, servants knew better than their masters), The Magic Flute was an out-of-this-world fantasy about amazing journeys, exotic creatures, and a magic flute that could change men’s hearts. Audiences were so enchanted that the production ran for 100 performances. This month, you can see Mozart’s last and most fantastical work as Opera Grand Rapids presents The Magic Flute.

The opera begins with Tamino, a prince, who is wandering in Egypt and near death. Pitying him, the mysterious Queen of the Night sends her attendants to save him, but this isn’t about generosity. The Queen wants Tamino to rescue her daughter, Pamina, from her enemy, Sarastro. In exchange, Tamino may marry Pamina. With his bird-hunting friend, Papageno, and a magical flute, Tamino sets out to save the girl.

Even if you’re familiar with this opera, you’re bound to be surprised by this production. To capture the fantasy element, Opera Grand Rapids Production Manager Claire Root-Benson incorporated recently-released images from the Hubble telescope of stars and nebulas into the set. Throughout the opera, these are projected on the stage. “The Magic Flute is a huge spectacle that lends itself to this idea of cosmic energy,” she said. “The Hubble images are amazing, particularly when the Queen of the Night enters. It’s a really cool effect.”

For Root-Benson, The Magic Flute is an opera she knows really well (she did her thesis on it), and it’s close to her heart. “This is an opera that’s extremely imaginative. It’s a battle of good versus evil, light versus dark,” she said. “If you haven’t seen an opera before, this is a great one to see. It’s a classic.”